Handle grips for carton boxes

ABSTRACT

This invention relates generally to a handle grip that can be firmly attached to a carton box, more particularly a convenient handle grip which is suitable for carrying a carton box relatively heavy as well as large in size. This handle grip comprises a pair of handle grip pieces having two main parts, two broader heads and two slits. The idea is that each main part is inserted through the slit of the other, respective main part, the ends of the two main parts distally of the respective heads being firmly attached to the flap of the carton box.

51 July 18,1972

HANDLE GRIPS FOR CARTON BOXES Inventors: Riunosuke Susuki, Tokyo; Hlroshi Hoshi, Narashino; Shinichi Araki, Funabashi;

Masao Ishil, Yachiyoshi, all of Japan Assignee: Raion Yushi Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo,

Japan Filed: Oct. 9, 1970 Appl. No.: 79,576

Foreign Application Priority Data References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1967 Jagt ..229/$2 AL 6/1926 Nover 7/1962 Wigemark 11/1917 Fisch ..150/33 Primary Examiner-Donald F. Norton Attorney-Cushman, Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates generally to a handle grip that can be timily attached to a carton box, more particularly a convenient handle grip which is suitable for carrying a carton box relatively heavy as well as large in size. This handle grip comprises a pair of handle grip pieces having two main parts, two broader heads and two slits. The idea is that each main part is inserted through the slit of the other, respective main part, the ends of the two main parts distally of the respective heads being firmly attached to the flap of the carton box.

1 Claim, 4 Prawing Figm-es Patented July 18,, 1972 3,677,459

2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented July 18., 1972 I 3,677,459

' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HANDLE GRIPS FOR CARTON BOXES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A carton box containing detergents, chemicals, foods or powder products is admittedly inconvenient for carrying because of its large size. Consequently various types of handle grips have been available to enable the users to conveniently carry carton boxes.

Two types of conventional handle grips that can be fitted to carton boxes are now in wide use.

The first type is a pair of handle grips having a pair of flaps, each of which has a out being forcibly brought upward so as to form the handle grip.

The second type is a handle grip consisting of a small cord, thin rope or twine which is readily fastened on the upper surface of the carton.

Inconvenience of the first type of handle grip is seen in that consumers find it difficult to perceive clearly the difference between the cut and the other part of the carton when they hold the latter to form the handle grip. Generally impatient consumers tend to dispense with such a complicated device, and stop trying to find out how to use such a handle grip. The idea of trying to read and understand the intricate directions and of attaching the handle grip according to the complex process is unbearable for the consumers, especially housewives or children; furthermore, it is noted that some skill and experience are generally required. A still further inconvenience is that the surface of the carton box is on the same level with cuts fitted in the handle grip pieces; therefore the users tend to feel some discomfort when bringing up the cut and making up the handle grip. The worst disadvantage is that this type of handle grip is weak in mechanical strength; one of the handle grip pieces is inclined to be pulled or torn. As far as this type of handle grip is concerned, the consumers prefer to select the non-handle-grip carton box. In order to get rid of this disadvantage, it is necessary to make the entire carton box of good quality, thick paper, incurring more expense. What is more, this type of handle grip disadvantageously requires a complicated process to employ an automatic system.

In the second type of handle grip it is also difficult to firmly attach a string to a carton box by an automatic system: the securments are usually fitted by hand to the inner surface of the carton box. It is readily seen that the string is less shapely, while perceived clearly, when the handle grip is not in use, e.g., being stored, conveyed or exhibited.

Therefore, the present invention is the provision of improving aforementioned described inconveniences resulting from the prior art. Following the above classification, it is understood that the handle grip according to the present invention belongs to the second type of handle grip.

The primary objective of this invention is the provision of the handle grip being firmly attached to the carton box wherein the difference between the part of the handle grip and the other part of the carton box is perceived clearly so that the users, especially consumers can use the handle grip without difficulty in a simple and rapid motion.

The second objective is that the handle grip pieces are made of synthetic resins of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or other materials of metal or paper; therefore, any materials are suitable for composing the inexpensive handle grip.

The third objective is that the automatic system is most appropriate for a process of firmly attaching the handle grip to the carton box.

The fourth objective is, when storing, conveying or exhibiting, as much as possible adjacent to the surface of the flap (approx. one-tenth inch high), that the surface of the carton box looks almost flat; therefore, the handle grip will not stand in the way of packing, conveying or storing. It is readily seen that this appearance is most suitable for exhibitions.

The fifth objective is that the color tones of the handle grip pieces and the carton box, each of which can be made of different materials, are more clearly perceived; and wherein the upper part of the handle grip pieces is provided with the name of the manufacturer who expects some advertising.

The sixth objective is that the material of polyethylene or polyproplene has a lower coefficient of friction so that a pair of handle grip pieces move smoothly; thereby, fingers are easily accessible to the handle grip pieces.

The seventh objective is that the handle grip be made of polyethylene or polypropylene has such a mechanical strength that prevents the handle grip from being pulled apart or separated into pieces by force.

The eighth objective is that the broad heads of the handle grip pieces are comfortably held fast when bringing up and hanging the pieces by the fingers.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view of the handle grip in accordance with the present invention from the upper side of the carton box.

FIG. 2 is a view of the handle grip in use.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the expansion of the handle grip.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the main part of the embodiment.

In the drawings, numeral 1 shows a flap on the upper side of the carton box (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4). Numerals 2 and 3 show the handle grip pieces (numeral 2 in FIG. 1, numerals 2 and 3 in FIG. 3). The handle grip pieces 2, 3 comprise the main parts 21, 31, the heads 22, 32 and the slits 23, 33. The heads 22, 32 are broader than and adjacent to the main parts. The slits 23, 33, each of which is as long as the width of each main part, are provided in the heads 22, 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the opposite ends 24, 34 of the heads 22, 32 are glued or firmly attached to the lower side of the flap 1. In this case, the heads 22, 32 can be thrust and firmly attached by means of other materials (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, before the handle grip pieces 2, 3 are firmly attached to the flap 1, each of the main parts 21, 31 are fitted into each of the slits 33, 23 of the opposite handle grip. The broad heads 22, 32, strike the main parts 31, 21 so that the handle grip pieces will remain interlocked.

The handle grip pieces 2, 3, are adjusted so that the entire length of the main part of the handle grip is correct; as shown in FIG. 1, when the heads 22, 32 are pulled apart as far as the extreme ends, the main part will not be in a standing position on the surface of the flap 1, being as close as possible to flap 1.

As described above, the handle grip is made of synthetic resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or other materials of metal or paper. It is understood that the strength of materials other than paper is almost equally strong. The materials of polyethylene or polypropylene, having a lower coefficient to friction enable the handle grip pieces to move smoothly so that the handle grip can be easily made up.

The handle grips will not be in a standing position but bend as much as possible adjacent to the surface of flap 1. Their storing, conveying or exhibiting produces a desired effect.

In lifting the carton box, all fingers except the thumb are slipped into the handle grip. As shown in FIG. 2, each handle grip 2, 3, moves smoothly, stretching until it touches with each head. It is readily seen that correct distance is kept between the top of the handle grip and the surface of flap 1.

In the same manner as the string handle grip, the handle grip according to the present invention is immediately perceived and held in a simple and rapid motion. The consumers, more particularly the housewives or children are willing to use the simplified handle grip. Therefore, this is very suitable for the detergent type carton box which is almost used daily by households.

Since the handle grip pieces are suitable for mass production, it is suggested that the name of the manufacturer be marked on the handle grip pieces, which are themselves made in a variety of colors. Thus, advertisements can be effectively accented because of the clearly perceived handle grips.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to its objectives or examples described above. Those who are skilled in the art will be able to apply the principles within the scope of the present invention.

We claim:

1. A handle grip, firmly attached to a flap of a carton, the handle grip comprising: a pair of handle grip pieces, each of which has an elongated main part and an enlarged head at one end thereof while being secured at the other end thereof to the underside of said flap, the handle grip being adapted to be expanded to form a carrying loop and contracted flat against said flap, the handle grip being characterized by:

a. said heads being broader than said main parts to such an extent that said heads in contact with one another may be comfortably held fast when bringing up and hanging said handle grip by fingers, and also being sufficiently long that the forward and rear half portions thereof contact snugly the opposite main part and one another respectively; and

b. slits being provided in a transverse straight line-shape centered on the respective heads, said slits being as long as the width of said main parts, being adapted to slidably receive said main parts;

wherein when each of said main parts is inserted into respective of said slits on said head on an opposite main part and on contact of said heads with one another, a forward half portion of one head is adapted to frictionally engage an upper face of one opposite main part; an equivalent portion of the other head snugly contacting an under face of the other opposite main part while the rear half portions of said heads overlap one upon another so that said heads in combination serve as a firm stop for the opposite main part and also as a comfortable raised grip portion; and further each of said heads being adapted to be pulled apart as far as an extreme end of the opposite main part, as close as possible to the upper face of said flap so as to be convenient in storing, conveying or exhibiting said handle grip. 

1. A handle grip, firmly attached to a flap of a carton, the handle grip comprising: a pair of handle grip pieces, each of which has an elongated main part and an enlarged head at one end thereof while being secured at the other end thereof to the underside of said flap, the handle grip being adapted to be expanded to form a carrying loop and contracted flat against said flap, the handle grip being characterized by: a. said heads being broader than said main parts to such an extent that said heads in contact with one another may be comfortably held fast when bringing up and hanging said handle grip by fingers, and also being sufficiently long that the forward and rear half portions thereof contact snugly the opposite main part and one another respectively; and b. slits being provided in a transverse straight line-shape centered on the respective heads, said slits being as long as the width of said main parts, being adapted to slidably receive said main parts; wherein when each of said main parts is inserted into respective of said slits on said head on an opposite main part and on contact of said heads with one another, a forward half portion of one head is adapted to frictionally engage an upper face of one opposite main part; an equivalent portion of the other head snugly contacting an under face of the other opposite main part while the rear half portions of said heads overlap one upon another so that said heads in combination serve as a firm stop for the opposite main part and also as a comfortable raised grip portion; and further each of said heads being adapted to be pulled apart as far as an extreme end of the opposite main part, as close as possible to the upper face of said flap so as to be convenient in storing, conveying or exhibiting said handle grip. 